“Poland benefits from the unity of Europe. The unity of Europe is important to us, because whenever the continent is divided Poland always suffers from the consequences of this.

“This is why Poland will remain an active and responsible member of the EU; a Union which respects freedoms contained in treaties, which treats all members in the same way and does not reinstall borders between countries,” commented President Duda.

However, the president also noted that the EU must acknowledge the differences between its various members, and respect their sovereignty to enable the EU to be successful.

The president also touched upon the migrant crisis which saw just over a million migrants and refugees cross the Mediterranean last year.

President Duda outlined three measures he believes should be a priority, namely strengthening protection of the EU’s external borders, supporting asylum applications and providing humanitarian help to war-torn countries.

Duda added that Poland is helping in the former by keeping the EU’s eastern border secure, and will help with humanitarian aid.

“The way in which Europe deals with an internal crisis will determine its ability to act on the international stage,” the president concluded.

His address to the diplomatic corps comes a fortnight after the ruling Law and Justice party passed legislation to remove recruitment competitions for senior civil servants. The president, himself a former member of Law and Justice, signed the bill into law on 7 January. (sl/nh)